The first thing Katya saw when she opened her eyes was a white room. Katya immediately realized that this was not her room. Katya's memories swirled back to what happened before she ended up here.
Arthur Maverick. Where was that man now? And wait, Katya realized this wasn't a hotel room. Then where was she now?
"I need to leave immediately. I can't stay here."
Katya scrambled out of bed. Grateful that her body was still complete with the last dress Katya had worn.
Katya's hand was already raised to touch the doorknob. But first someone opened the door from outside. Katya's heart skipped a beat when she saw a tall male figure emerge from behind the door.
"Arthur."
"Hi, Baby."
Katya took a step back as Arthur walked forward towards her. She was terrified. Arthur looked creepy with a lopsided smile on his lips.
Katya's back was against the wall. She was further cornered as Arthur locked her in with his arms on both sides.
"Get out of my way. I'm going home."
"Go home? This is your home."
Then Arthur rubbed Katya's cheek with his index finger.
"Arthur, please...."
"Help what, hm?"
Katya reflexively looked away when Arthur was about to kiss her lips. Katya's refusal made Arthur even more challenged.
"You're in New York now."
Katya gasped in shock. How could she be? How long had Katya been unconscious until she was in New York? And what about Juan? He must have been really worried about Katya because she hadn't come home and there was no news.
"Shocked?"
How annoying! Arthur was really annoying. If Katya had superpowers, she would have kicked Arthur off the top of the mountain by now.
"Why are you doing this to me?"
Arthur smiled wryly. "I should be the one asking you. Why did you break your promise that night? You said you wouldn't run away, but it turns out you wanted to try to mess with me."
Katya was about to open her mouth to reply to Arthur's words, but he pulled out a diamond ring from his coat pocket. Katya was surprised when Arthur took her right hand and placed the ring on her ring finger.
"What does this mean?"
Arthur's thumb caressed Katya's lower lip. Since last night these lips had been very tempting to her.
"Arthur...."
"We're getting married next week."
"What? How can that be? Arthur don't-,"
"Don't what?" Arthur cut Katya off. "I don't accept rejection. We're getting married next week."
"I don't want to."
"I said I don't accept rejection."
"But-, Ah!"
Katya squealed in pain as Arthur pulled on her hair, causing her to lift her head.
"Since two years ago, you've been mine Katya. You are my toy. So you have no right to defy my orders."
Hearing the word 'toy' come from Arthur's lips made Katya's heart hurt.
Arthur removed his hand from Katya's hair. "Before the wedding, I'll give you some time with Juan in Bali. But remember, you can't make the same mistakes as before, or....."
Katya looked at Arthur questioningly. She waited for him to say something that was definitely a threat.
"Mahesa Resto will go bankrupt and your family will suffer a second fall."
Katya's hands were clenched tightly. No one had ever dared to threaten her. Now Arthur was taking it out on her.
"And not just that. Juan and his wife and child, will be in my custody. So if you mess with me, they I can be harmed at any time."
Katya closed her eyes as Arthur pressed one hand against her cheek.
"You know who I am. I can do whatever I want. Bringing down Mahesa Resto is like turning over a palm. It's very easy."
Then Arthur gently stroked the top of Katya's head. "Now you take a shower, then get ready. I'll take you to meet my family."
Those were the last words before Arthur walked out, leaving Katya in the room.
The twenty-year-old girl flopped onto the sofa. Her life had completely changed since her father left. And now Katya seemed to have become Arthur's plaything. It was all because of that damn bet two years ago.
Katya raised her right hand. Staring at the diamond ring on her ring finger. How could Katya be married to a man she didn't love? And why did Arthur have to tie her down by marriage? What about Juan later? Surely he wouldn't approve. But Katya knew that the threats coming out of Arthur's mouth would be no joke. And Katya didn't want Mahesa Resto to go bankrupt, let alone put her family in trouble. Katya didn't want to make things difficult for them and make them miserable. Katya didn't want to make Juan's smile fade. He was so passionate about building Mahesa Resto into the success it is today.
Argh, how is this?
***
Katya looked at herself in the mirror. Her body was already wrapped in a dark blue dress above the knee. Two of Arthur's men were now dressing her.
"Mr. Arthur's taste is no joke. You are a very beautiful girl. I'm sure Mr. Arthur will be even more fascinated when he sees how you look."
Katya chuckled to herself. How could Arthur fall for her. She was just Arthur's plaything and would forever be his plaything.
Apparently two years wasn't enough for Arthur to forget what happened that night. Katya had hoped that Arthur would just let her go, even if they met again.
"Okay, it's over."
Katya got up from her sitting position. The girl, who was already born beautiful, looked even more beautiful with her natural make up and the dark blue dress that wrapped her sexy body.
"Let's go. I'll take you outside. Mr. Arthur is waiting there."
Katya nodded resignedly. Walking with Arthur's messenger who took her out of the apartment building.
Katya was disgusted when she saw Arthur's smiling face greeting her at the front of the car. There were six bodyguards standing beside the car, all dressed up. Katya knew that Arthur did not come from a random family. He was already a billionaire.
Arthur pulled Katya by the waist, making their bodies stick together. Katya tried to break free, but of course her strength wasn't strong enough against Arthur.
"You're not only beautiful, but also very sexy." Arthur whispered and then his gaze fell to Katya's chest, which was clearly outlined under her dress.
"Shit!"
Arthur didn't get angry at the curse that came out of Katya's mouth. Instead, he smiled in pleasure.
Katya got into the black car first, followed by Arthur. On the front seat was Arthur's driver and personal assistant, Alvaro.
"Go."
"Yes, Sir."
Meanwhile, there were two cars at the back. They were Arthur's bodyguards.
During the ride, Katya silently stared out the windshield. She saw the streets of New York, which she was enjoying again after two years.
"In front of my family, we have to act like lovers."
Katya did not respond to Arthur's words.
"Remember, Katya. Your brother's fate is in my hands."
Katya closed her eyes for a moment, then took a deep breath. Katya remembered that she was a toy and Arthur was her master.
Arriving at her destination, Katya was completely mesmerized by the luxurious mansion before her eyes. And it slapped her into the realization that Arthur wasn't just anybody. Back when Arthur and Juan's friendship was still good, Katya couldn't believe that Arthur owned a mansion like a palace. But now she actually believed Arthur's arrogant remark.
"Don't be surprised. You know I'm from a billionaire family."
Oh my!
Katya couldn't protest when Arthur grabbed her by the waist.
"Remember. We have to be nice."
Then Arthur led Katya into the luxurious mansion with his arm around her waist.
Their arrival was greeted by the maids who were lined up neatly, as if they had known they would have guests.
"They're over there."
Katya saw three people gathered at the dining table by the pool. It looked luxurious and extravagant. But no wonder, since they had a lot of money.
"Hello everyone!" Arthur greeted, making all three turn their heads simultaneously to the source of the voice.
"Hi! Here you are." The woman named Sabrina, who was Arthur's mother, got up from her seat and approached Katya.
"What's your name?"
Katya smiled. The woman in front of her looked beautiful even though she was no longer young. "Katya."
"Katya? What a beautiful name." The voice came from Arthur's younger sister, her name was Airi.
"Hello! I'm Airi, Arthur's sister."
Katya returned the handshake of the girl who was no less beautiful than her. Hearing Airi's name and seeing her face, Katya seemed familiar.
"And that's my Dad," Arthur said, introducing Katya to the man in the wheelchair. "His name is Leo."
Katya stepped forward to shake hands with the man. "Katya, Uncle."
Leo returned the greeting with a smile.
Sabrina put her arm around Katya. "I was so happy when I heard Arthur was bringing his future wife home. He's never brought a girl here before. To the point where I thought Arthur didn't like girls."
Oh, so this is the answer. Okay, now Katya knew why Arthur wanted to tie her down in marriage. Maybe he was under pressure from his parents about a life partner. Juan, who was Arthur's age, already had a child.
But why Katya? It couldn't be that he loved her could it?
"So, when are you getting married?" The question came from Leo.
"Next week."
***
"Married?!"
Katya gasped in shock as Juan slammed the magazine down on the table. As Arthur had said earlier, Katya was now in Bali and under Arthur's watchful eye.
Katya looked down deeply as she nodded.
"With that asshole?!"
Once again Katya answered with a nod. She didn't dare look Juan in the eye. It had been a long time since Katya had seen Juan angry. And now the reason for Juan's anger was her.
Juna took a deep breath and rubbed her face roughly. He could not understand Katya's request this time. After the girl suddenly left without saying goodbye, now she was asking for her blessing to be married to Arthur.
"What exactly happened? Tell me the truth."
"I just need blessing. I want to marry Arthur." Katya replied in a low voice, but Juan could still hear her.
"Why? Suddenly like this without something, that's not possible"
Juan stared intently at his sister's face which was still downcast. Juan was sure that there was something Katya was hiding from him.
"Did you meet him?" Juan guessed. "Right, Katya? He threatened you to marry him, is that it?"
Katya didn't answer Juan's question. Katya honestly wanted to complain to the man, but she was too afraid of Arthur's threats. Katya did not want her family to fall again. And in retrospect, Arthur did have a right to her. Juan accepted the challenge in a sober state.
"Why are you silent? Tell me the truth now. You must be-,"
"Because I love him!" Katya answered in a loud voice.
Juan was taken aback.
There was silence for a few seconds. This was too shocking to hear. Juan couldn't believe that Katya loved Arthur. How could she?
Katya raised her head and locked eyes with Juan. "I love him. That's why I want to marry him."
Juan shook his head in disbelief. "No, you don't. You must be lying, right? You can't possibly love him."
"Juan, please.... Please let Arthur and I get married."
Juan looked the other way. He was not willing to give up his only sister to Arthur.
"I want to be like you and Listy. Marry the person we love and have a small family. I want that, Juan...."
Listy came over after putting Shaka to bed. The elegant woman sat next to her husband. She heard all the conversation between her husband and sister-in-law.
"Honey, let Katya decide her own path in life. Many people marry at a young age. And it won't interfere with her studies."
"No, Dear. It's not about getting married at a young age or about education. It's about Katya's future, Katya's happiness. Because I don't believe that that asshole Arthur is going to make Katya's life happy."
Listy looked at her sister-in-law with a sad look. She didn't know what problems had occurred between Juan and Arthur in the past, but seeing Katya sad made her side more with the girl.
"Honey, I know you love Katya very much. But she's a big girl. She knows what's best for her life. And marrying the person you love is everyone's dream in this world, right?"
Juan was about to open his mouth to reply to his wife, but first Katya's voice rang out.
"This is my decision. So I ask you to respect my decision."
Katya got up from her seat. "I will stay married to Arthur. It doesn't matter if you don't agree."
"KATYA!"
The yelling brought tears to Katya's eyes. It was the first time in her life that Katya had been yelled at by Juan. It hurt like hell.
"What? I've always obeyed your orders. So please, this time let me choose my own path in life."
Juan clenched his hands tightly. Meanwhile, Listy rubbed her husband's arm in the hope of calming Juan's emotions a little.
"Katya!" snapped Juan as Katya was about to take a step. "How dare you step out of this house. That means you've severed ties with me."
"Honey!" protested Listy as she thought her husband had gone too far in saying that.
Katya closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Very unexpectedly, Katya dared to step out of the house.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Juan...."